LGhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/taxonomy/term/726/feed
enLG Curved OLED TVhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-curved-oled-tv
<p>So what’s with LG’s Curved TV set? We had all those big TV sets with screens curved outward, then we yearned for flat TVs, and now we have a set that curves inward. Though just 55 inches in size, the LG Curved features some cool technology that gives viewers a unique immersive experience— you are surrounded by the image on screen, and its 4-colour pixel format reproduces colours very close to those found in nature.</p>
<p>Besides the three primary colours— red, green and blue—LG has added white as a fourth pixel. The pixels are independently lit, allowing finer control of their luminance and offering life-like picture clarity while getting a contrast ratio that is currently beyond conventional measures. It can go from blazing white to the darkest black with a greater sense of realism, and all this so quickly that fast action scenes have a beautiful smooth motion to it.</p>
<p>To ensure high-quality sound, LG has incorporated a two-channel speaker system, but this time round uses ceramic film speakers that allow it to make a thinner TV without compromising sound quality. The ceramic film speakers can reproduce both the highs and lows of music crisply, but if you want to boost it, my recommendation is to add an LG Sound Plate at Rs 39,990.</p>
<p>And to my delight, LG seems to have taken a cue from Apple TV’s remote, with a simple remote handset that uses gestures and pointing, and has universal control too.</p>
<p>Overall, a great TV set with an unconventional screen—and an eye- popping price tag to go with it.</p>
<img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/gadgets-LGcurved.jpg?itok=QsoAEEkl" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 14310</div>Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:57:22 +0000arindam14310 at http://www.openthemagazine.comLG Optimus 4xhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-optimus-4x
<p>LG is calling this smartphone its best ever. And I can see why. It’s got smart looks, clean lines and a sleek form factor even with a large 4.7 inch screen. It runs on the latest version of <em>Android—Ice Cream Sandwich</em>—and it is fast. Even the 8 megapixel camera is very responsive. </p>
<p>I had the phone for about three weeks and got mixed reactions from the people I showed it to. Some liked it, some did not. But everybody agreed that its picture quality definitely needed to improve. After all, you do expect more from an 8 megapixel sensor. But I soon realised that while the pictures did not look great when seen directly on its screen, they came out really well on <em>Instagram</em> and other social media websites. </p>
<p>The phone runs on a Tegra 3 processor—a 1.5 GHz Quad Core (that’s where the ‘4x’ comes from), which performs well under multi-tasking conditions, and the GPS too locks on quickly. It has 16 GB of memory and you can open the back cover to insert a microSD card of up to 32 GB.</p>
<p>I usually find the back covers of LG phones flimsy. This one appeared no different. But when I tested it, it turned out to be quite sturdy. </p>
<p>The software implementation on this phone is a mixed bag. I was not too happy with the keyboard, so I downloaded <em>Swype</em>. Some of my friends said that the software felt as if it was from a previous generation of <em>Android</em>, and not the latest one. Now why did LG do that?</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/gadgets-LGph.jpg?itok=adhz7ylu" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 10387</div>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:08:41 +0000arindam10387 at http://www.openthemagazine.comLG Optimus 3D Maxhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-optimus-3d-max
<p>LG’s second 3D phone, Optimus 3D Max, is thinner, lighter, faster and smarter looking than its first avatar, Optimus 3D, but the 3D functions have not improved much, and not having a physical slider button to adjust 3D depth does have its own disadvantages.</p>
<p>So what all can one do with its 3D capability? Besides playing 3D games, one can shoot 3D images using its dual 5 megapixel cameras, though the image is of 3 megapixel resolution in case of 3D, and of 5 megapixel in 2D mode. The 3D image options include a focus mode that could be set to ‘Border’ or ‘Center’. There is also a front-facing VGA camera for video calling. One can also record videos at 1080p in 2D, and at 720p in 3D. Its outdoor camera performance—both for videos and for stills—is decent enough, but indoor results are not satisfactory. Also, adjusting the phone’s angle to view its 3D effect takes time getting used to. But if you turn off the 3D mode, the Optimus 3D Max is a very capable 2D phone.</p>
<p>This smartphone runs on <em>Android</em> 2.3 operating system, has a Dual Core processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB memory on board and a micro SD slot that can be accessed by removing the back cover, which exposes another downside of the phone—the cover feels flimsy and may eventually break while removing or replacing it. But then, in practice I do not see people opening their phones too often, so this drawback is not that much of a worry.</p>
<p>My suggestion is: in case you are willing to pay for a good Dual Core 2D phone and wouldn’t mind 3D capabilities as a bonus (shooting, viewing, etcetera) then the Optimus 3D Max is a good option. But if you are looking at replacing a Nintendo 3DS for gaming, this 3D phone is likely to be a disappointment.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/Gadgets-lG_3.jpg?itok=9mrupEyg" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 10213</div>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:53:44 +0000arindam10213 at http://www.openthemagazine.comLG Optimus P920http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-optimus-p920
<p>The world’s first 3D phone is also one of the fastest Android phones around</p>
<p>It is being called the world’s first 3D phone. And no, you don’t have to wear 3D glasses to use it, <em>a la</em> the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console. Unlike the 3DS, this is primarily a phone and lacks certain 3D features: such as the Slider. Nintendo’s Slider customises its 3D effects to your eyes’ dioptre power and also adjusts the 3D depth. It would have been very handy on this phone too.</p>
<p>The 4.3 inch touchscreen can deliver 3D and 2D content in 720p. It is great to play games and use <em>Twitter, Facebook</em>, Wi-Fi and 3G apps. While its battery can turn against you if you use too many apps, it may be a little too heavy to handle for very long.</p>
<p>There is a 3D camera on the rear (with two lenses), which delivers nice and clean 3D images and videos. It can also shoot videos and pictures in 2D. Content in 3D is still a scarce commodity, even on <em>YouTube</em>’s dedicated 3D channel, so the camera is vital for your 3D experience. You also have the option of playing five 3D games. The gaming experience is good, but what I hate it that these 3D games can’t be played in 2D.</p>
<p>While the phone performs well, its finish leaves a lot to be desired. The covers for battery charging and HDMI sockets seem very flimsy to me. I would have preferred the volume controls, power button and screen lock to stand out a little. These buttons are a little difficult to use here, as they have almost merged into the phone.</p>
<p>An interesting feature is its Remote Call. It lets an LG call centre executive connect to your phone remotely and diagnose or upgrade the phone without the need of driving to a service centre. The facility ensures that your personal data such as email and SMSes cannot be read during a Remote Call session.</p>
<p>The ‘fourth dimension’ of this 3D phone is its user interface. It is faster and more responsive than most <em>Android</em> phones I have tested.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/gadgets-LG_1.jpg?itok=wFX2c6wi" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 8838</div>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:11:10 +0000arindam8838 at http://www.openthemagazine.comLG Optimus 2Xhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-optimus-2x
<p>With a dual core processor, a Tegra 2 graphic processor and Android OS 2.2, this seems to be a phone that will give other Androids a run for their money.</p>
<p>First Impressions: the 4 inch screen looks great, and its 480x800 resolution makes browsing the internet cool. A very minimal but attractive design—just a volume button on the right, a power button on top, next to a 3.5 mm jack, and a USB port down below under the speakers/microphone section.</p>
<p>I personally like the fact that LG has moved the micro USB port to the bottom of the phone. It enables easier handling of the phone while it is being charged. The speaker on the phone performs well, but I still prefer plugging in a headphone while playing games or listening to music.</p>
<p>With phone cameras being used more as point-and-shoot devices to upload and share pictures on social media platforms, I find ‘megapixels’ just a sales gimmick. But the 8 megapixel camera on the Optimus 2x works very well, and the built-in LED flash is so strong that if you don’t use it correctly, you end up getting a white light-flushed picture. The camera is also capable of 1080 full HD video at 24 frames per second, and the videos do turn out nicely.</p>
<p>An HDMI cable enables you to output your content on a TV set. I am very happy with LG’s idea of putting the HDMI on top and the USB port at the bottom, thus making this one of my favourite phone designs. The HDMI performance is great, thanks to the Tegra2 chipset, and with the mirror display capability, you can use your phone as a gaming machine and hook it up with your TV to enjoy games—also videos, in case you want to do that.</p>
<p>A brilliant design, good camera, good performance and great price make this one of the best Android phones available in India.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/gadgets-LG_0.jpg?itok=MQykAzsa" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 8326</div>Thu, 26 May 2011 16:32:02 +0000arindam8326 at http://www.openthemagazine.comLG Cinema 3D Smart TVhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/lg-cinema-3d-smart-tv
<p>While I like watching 3D content, I have a few problems with 3D TVs. First, I hate wearing heavy glasses. I don’t wear them to read or to use my computer, and I sure don’t want to wear them to watch TV. Next, after charging two cellphones, a tablet, MP3 player, GPS and handsfree, charging TV-watching glasses is too much of a chore. Finally, there’s hardly any 3D content out there.</p>
<p>While I love 3D, I am no fan of 3D TVs. So what has changed to make me talk about 3D TVs again? For starters, the glasses have changed. The new glasses weigh just 16 gm, and because they don’t have LCDs to function as active shutters, they don’t need any power. The new Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) glasses are like the ones you get to watch 3D movies in cinema halls. These I can wear, though I still don’t like wearing any at all. And lthough they cost Rs 1,000 a pair, they are cheap compared with active shutter spectacles (up to Rs 8,000 a pair), which were being touted as the in-thing till last year. </p>
<p>What has made these glasses possible is FPR technology. This technology requires only circular polarised lenses, instead of LCD-based active shutters. The lenses show only the left and right images to the respective eye, which are processed in the brain to create the 3D impact. With FPR, the image is sharper and flicker free. This means less dizziness and eye fatigue compared to active shutter glasses. The words to note here are ‘less fatigue’, not ‘no fatigue’. You still can’t watch 3D content for long hours.</p>
<p>So, while this TV allows you to watch 2D content in 3D, you would use it mostly as a regular HDTV—a function that it performs admirably. Will I buy it then?<br />
While I love 3D, I am not buying this TV set yet. I’ll wait for one that lets me see 3D without glasses.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/gadgets-LG.jpg?itok=9-pmBZZa" /><div>BY: Gagandeep Singh Sapra</div><div>Node Id: 8236</div>Wed, 11 May 2011 12:55:57 +0000arindam8236 at http://www.openthemagazine.comBusiness Briefing 07/11http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/business/business-briefing-0711
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<p>Hope and Hype</p>
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<p>Despite the noises made by sections of Indian industry of a smart economic recovery, the real picture, it appears from Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s recent utterances, is not all that rosy. A combination of poor monsoon, less-than-expected consumer demand and continuing weakness of exports means that the FM has no choice but to carry on with the economic stimulus driven largely by government spending. “The fiscal stimulus will have to continue, to allow its impact to fully run through the economy,” Mukherjee said at the annual Economic Editors conference. During the second quarter of the fiscal, several large bellwether Indian firms reported better profits, primarily due to cost cutting measures, but their sales were up only marginally—a sure indicator that there’s still a long way to go for a sustained recovery. Don’t believe anyone who says happy times are here again.</p>
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<p>Subbarao: Seeking Fort Knox</p>
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<p>Reserve Bank of India Governor D Subbarao has done something the average Indian housewife would readily approve of. The RBI’s decision to quietly buy 200 tonnes of gold worth $6.7 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has surprised many around the world. Although Indians are the world’s largest consumers of gold, in the form of jewellery, bars and coins, it wasn’t much sought after by the RBI. Of India’s $285 billion forex reserves, only $10 billion was estimated to be held in the form of gold. In fact, the proportion of gold as part of its total foreign reserves has gradually declined over the years, from 20 per cent in 1994 to below 4 per cent now. The latest tranche of gold shopping increases its proportion to 6 per cent, making India’s central bank the tenth largest accumulator of aurum.</p>
<p>While the sale would provide the cash-strapped IMF with much needed liquidity to enable low interest rate lending to poor countries, India’s purchase is seen as a move to diversify its reserves in a volatile currency market. But some also see a geopolitical motive behind the deal. India, like China, is also seeking closer ties with the IMF to assert its authority on the global economic stage. The bullion market’s eyes are on China, which is keen on buying some of IMF’s gold in an effort to shift some of its $2 trillion plus forex reserves away from the US dollar.</p>
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<p>What I Learnt From the Slowdown</p>
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<p>—Moon B Shin, managing director, LG Electronics India</p>
<p>» During these times, investments in human capital are not likely to be a high priority for companies whose very survival is threatened by the global downturn. But for companies with strong balance sheets and compelling business models, the economic downturn presents important opportunities to strengthen their HR management capabilities and position them for the inevitable ricochet. </p>
<p>» No downturn is perpetual and no boom is permanent. It requires understanding external market uncertainty and internally managing a talent pool that is anxious and perhaps distracted because of the uncertainty. Thus, what an organisation requires is a better and more thought out approach towards its employees. </p>
<p>» Each focus area for business poses distinct challenges. Team managers and company directors have to look at how they can drive utilisation, control discretionary spending and HR budgets, improve employee productivity, tighten the linkage between performance and pay, understand what engagement means in today’s context, explore new work design models, drive and reward innovation and recognise and retain key talent.</p>
<p>» Thus, we can say that at this stage of economic conditions, there has to be innovation in an organisation’s approach. What is required is identification of key real employees and their retention in the organisation. People need to hear the truth, understand the strategy of leaders, and assume responsibility for their actions relative to the plan.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/biz-gold.jpg?itok=hHwETNoV" /><div>Node Id: 3789</div>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:52:07 +0000arindam3789 at http://www.openthemagazine.comWrist Clickhttp://www.openthemagazine.com/article/gadgets/wrist-click
<p>This wrist gadget is a 3G mobile phone. You can also use it as a watch, if you want to. But for the fact that it can be worn on a wrist, it would have been just another touch-screen phone. It looks just a tad unwieldy for a watch. But if it were any smaller, the phone would have to be controlled by telepathic signals, in which case you would not need a phone at all. A model called LG-GD910, this GSM quadband 3G phone supports video telephony and can double up as your personal audio and video media player. However, with no provision for a card or radio, don’t expect it to entertain you on very long journeys. The phone also has speech-to-text capabilities, but we all know that even in the best of gadgets, this feature is still more of a gimmick than a killer app. The resolution of its 1.43 inch screen is pretty basic and the touch screen also seems to be an elementary single-touch. At 13.9 mm, it is thicker than many smartphones. But, all said and done, it is a first. Whether it goes on to become a classic or not, we’ll be around to tell you. For now, in a phone priced at around $1,500, you would expect more. No wonder that black and silver slab, the iPhone, continues to finger flash a victorious ‘V’.</p><img src="http://www.openthemagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/public%3A/Mobile-Phone2.jpg?itok=VAXJufq-" /><div>Node Id: 1378</div>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:30:56 +0000arindam1378 at http://www.openthemagazine.com